Tag Archives: United States History

Hello all – well, at long last, my on-line journal, The Americanist Independent: A Monthly Journal of United States History is go for launch. If I do say so myself I am extremely proud of the first issue. Naturally, I want you to subscribe – and become a charter member. Get in early, so to speak, and be one of the cool kids.

Since I am sure you want to know…the first issue includes an engaging study by Damian Shiels on the use of technology and visualizing Irish soldiers in the American Civil War.

In addition, Keith McCall offers a fantastic look at the development of slavery databases using 20th century slave narratives.

Samantha Upton boldly takes on Drew Gilpin Faust in her study of the elite white women of Boydton, Virginia during the Reconstruction Era.

And finally, Damien Drago discusses his innovative approach to teaching history and engaging fourth and fifth graders by using music in the classroom.

I think you will really enjoy this on-line experience. Please note that I will be adding new features (including a video series) all the time, so check back frequently. And keep in mind – The Americanist Independent is entirely interactive. There is a forum and a comments section where you can leave your two cents. Let me just say in advance: welcome and thank you for subscribing.

Harristorian Tees – historically inspired tee-shirts

Across the Bloody Chasm – Now Available!!!

Praise for Across the Bloody Chasm

“One of Harris’s chief contributions is his recovery of lost ambiguities, intentions, and memories, which fairly quickly were obscured by national self-interest and the ignorance of Americans who did not fight or who were born after the war.” - American Historical Review

“Harris makes a persuasive case that in the battle for Civil War memory neither Union nor Confederate veterans were willing to concede much to their former enemies. . . . Across the Bloody Chasm makes a worthwhile addition to growing literature on historical memory of the American Civil War by demonstrating the limits of postwar reconciliation among veterans.” - Journal of American History

''Well written and accompanied by 84 pages of notes, a bibliography, and an index, the study . . . stands as a major contribution to a discourse still central to the polity of the US. Highly recommended.'' - Choice

“[An] uncommonly well written and concise book. . . . M. Keith Harris is to be commended for clarifying why the process of national reconciliation took much longer than we have previously recognized and the role that Civil War veterans played in it.” - Civil War Book Review

“Harris . . . makes extensive use of regimental histories as he believes they document the true views of the veterans. He also makes good use of the speeches and commemorative programs published during veterans’ gatherings over the decades after the war. . . . Harris’s treatment of the various issues and themes is a useful reminder of what our veterans, and our country, went through in the years after the Civil War as every American, but especially veterans, tried to digest the importance of the bloody conflict the country had endured and the role each of them had played in it.” - On Point